St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-31
DIRT AND DEPHAvrTx
The Essential Elements in the Gel.
ebraIed Mooney Divorce Case.

eDFaIcu I'VE OOneY D1VOEce Case.
The noted and sensational Mooney di-
voice case. begun in the district court be-
fore Judge Rea some weeks ago, was con-
Guided Saturday afternoon at the law
library parlors, Judge Rea not being able to
hear it at the court house. After the evil
dence was all in the matter was taken
under adyisement Argument will be made
in the case some time this week. The case
has been most revolving one, and was
extremely sensational in all its details.
Much of the testimony introduced was OF a
character totally unit for publication. This
was especially the case Saturday, when
even sphinx would have bluShed. Nu-
merOuS witnesses Swore that they went to
the Mooney farm last summer and there
found Mrs. Mooney at work in the fields,
clad only in garment made of a bran sack,
with q string tied around the waist. Ii
was also stated that Mooney frequently
made his wife clean out the stable with her
hands, as he considered shovels an unneces-
sary expense. AS there were numerous
cows in these stables the work can better be
imagined than described. Three or four
persons who were recently visitors at the
farm were next called to the stand. They
told story almost too horrible for belief,
as 1t seems that such things cannot possibly
exist in civilized community. These wit
nesses said they found the house entirely
without ventilation. being surrounded by
outbuildings Oh three sides, and the Win
doWs on the open side nailed down so that
not a breath of fresh air could enter. A
terrible stencil greeted them, they said and
on investigating they found that it emana-
ted from several large pots of swill, which
Mr. MnOnaV had athara6 and nloond IN
the stove on which he did his cooking.
This they found was common practice at
the house, and to cap the climax Mr..
Mooney slept in the same room. 1t was
further shown that pigs were allowed TO
run about the house and sleep under Mr..
Moneys bed, and in fact litter of little
pigs was recently born behind the kitchen
stove. Over the kitchen large flock of
chickens had their quarters, and
the noise and odor was far from
pleasant. Another witness stated that
on the bed i'll which MI. Mooney slept
there were no bed clothes. Three or four
horse-blankets, several old grain sacks and
bundles Of rags took their place. These
articles were dirty and emitted terrible
smell. This he'd was occupied Jointly by
Mooney and his oldest daughter. II years of
age, and from some of the testimony intro
duced 1t would seem to be q dangerous
place Tor the child. A large amount Of
testimony like the above was introduced
and sworn to be competent.
In her plea for a divorce Mrs. Mooney
asks for alimony and the custody of the two
children, both girls, one and the other 12
years of age, Mooney denies that he has
any money, but it is generally believed that
he has about SIS. 600 in money put away
somewhere. The farm is worth about $40,-
600. Mooney was for sixteen years a Pc.
liceman in the old country. About year
ago he trieito have his wife sent to the
insane asylum. The case came into the pro-
bate court and was dismissed when hear
ing was had. He also hasa suit pending
against her in the district court, in which
he asks to have all her interest in the prop
erty set aside. This matter will come up
for hearing some time the present week.